2 Cold Storms Barrel Toward SoCal: Frost, Hail And Mountain Snow Expected

Following a drizzly New Year's Eve, yet another pair of storm systems are returning to the Southland this weekend, weather officials said.

Rain, gusty southerly winds and high elevation snow could begin as soon as late Friday and last through Sunday before another storm arrives that could bring rain through Tuesday, according to the National Weather Service.

The first system is expected to keep temperatures lower with cool days and cold nights ahead. The rain will likely begin in the northern end of the region before making its way south and east into Saturday. With wet soil from rain on New Year's Eve and New Year's Day, mudslides and fog are also possible during the storm.

Rainfall rates with this new system are forecast to range between a quarter inch to more than half an inch per hour, weather officials said, adding that more rain is expected in the foothills and mountains.

Rain is still a concern for areas with recent burn scares such as in the Palisades and Eaton fire areas.

"A flash flood watch may need to be considered later today when the timing and amounts become a little more firm," the NWS said Friday.

After the weekend, officials said another storm system is expected to move over the region between Monday and Tuesday.

"This system looks to be colder and drier, but there will likely be more of a convective element involved with this storm," forecasters said.

The storm could bring small hail, brief heavy downpours, thunderstorms and gusty winds.

"A cold air mass will likely settle into the region for the first
full week of 2026," the NWS said.

Another Atmospheric River event will impact the West Coast into the weekend.

Rain will increase today especially for areas along the coastal ranges of northern California and the northern Sierra and then spread southward into southern California Saturday.

An isolated risk for… pic.twitter.com/RTTW2ex8Se
— National Weather Service (@NWS) January 2, 2026

Forecasters said the highest temperatures felt across most coastal and valleys area will be the upper 50s and 60s with frost or freeze conditions possible in some of the valley areas.

The forecast comes after California experienced once of its wettest Christmas weeks in years as an atmospheric river, dubbed a pineapple express storm, barreled through the region.

Rain records were broken in San Diego, Chula Vista, El Cajon, Lake Cuyamaca, Campo and Indio, according to the National Weather Service.

The storm killed at least four people across the state and caused catastrophic flooding, particularly in burn scar areas.

Crews of first responders spent the holiday rescuing Californians from floodwaters.
In San Bernardino County, some crews saw "some very dire situations," county fire department spokesman Christopher Prater told NBC News.

Some were trapped in their homes by up to 5 feet of mud and water, Prater said.

Though the incoming storm isn't expected to be as heavy as the holiday week's atmospheric river, the NWS is advising Southlanders to use caution while driving and secure loose items outdoors.